Judith M. Strauss

Judith M. Strauss, age 78, of Fonda, Iowa died on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa. PUBLIC Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda where masks will be required. To watch the recording of the Mass, please go to Judith's tribute wall. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Catholic Cemetery in Fonda. PUBLIC Visitation will take place on Friday, November 20, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the CHURCH in Fonda where masks will be required and during these hours the 15 person limit will be observed. Guests who are at an increased risk of COVID-19 are welcomed at the visitation from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the church. An open vigil service will take place at 7:00 p.m. following the visitation. Masks and social distancing are required for guests in attendance. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Judy was born on February 19, 1942, to parents Matt and Belva (Redlinger) Carey at home. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed in Fonda, Iowa. Growing up, Judy attended school at Fonda where she graduated in 1960. Following high school graduation, Judy attended Capital Beauty School in Omaha, NE where she graduated in 1961. On April 28, 1962, Judy married Jerry Strauss at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fonda, Iowa. This union was blessed with two sons, Doug and Randy and daughter Angela. In 1964 the couple bought the Hawk’s Nest in Fonda and changed the name to the Shamrock Inn. They owned and operated the bar and restaurant until Jerry passed away December 25, 1996. Judy continued to manage the bar and restaurant until she sold it in 2001. Judy made many friends during her 37 years operating the Shamrock Inn as many enjoyed her wit and quick comebacks along with her delicious steaks, cheeseburgers, pizzaburgers and ice-cold beer. Judy liked taking trips with her mother Belva to area casinos. Judy enjoyed going to watch her son-in-law race at Buena Vista Raceway in Alta with her good friend Doris Dusing. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. Judy loved watching Iowa Hawkeye basketball. Through the years, Judy entered and won many online contests, which included meeting her favorite NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., a trip to Beverly Hills, CA and one to New Orleans, LA; all of which she traveled with her daughter. Her sister Janice and husband Jack won a trip to Orlando, Fl to visit several of the theme parks and invited Judy and Angela to join them. Those left to cherish her memory include Doug Strauss of Jewell, Iowa, Randy Strauss of Fonda, Iowa, Angela (Gary) Duitsman of Fonda, Iowa; grandchildren Christopher Duitsman of Fonda, Iowa, Michael (Tiffany) Duitsman of Redmond, Oregon, Amanda (Jason) Frederick of Emmetsburg, Iowa, and Mitchell (Rachel) Schneider of Spencer, Iowa; great-grandchildren Chloe and Ella Duitsman, Dallas Schneider, Jaxson and Shiloh Frederick; a sister, Janice Weinzetl of Sun City, AZ; brother-in-law Ron “Terry” Strauss of Ormond Beach, FL; and many other family and friends. Judy was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Strauss; parents Matt and Belva (Redlinger) Carey; parents-in-law: Raymond and Helen (O’Leary) Strauss; brother-in-law Jack Weinzetl, Raymond Strauss, Richard “Dick” Strauss and Gene Strauss; sister-in-law Loyce Rae Fairburn, Betty Strauss and Susan Boaz.

Judith M. Strauss

February 19, 1942 - October 29, 2020